i). Called to belong to Christ. Eph 4:1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

ii). Called to belong to one another in Christ . Eph 4:2-3. with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

B). THEIR UNITY BASED ON THE UNITY OF THE GODHEAD. 4:4-6

One Spirit. Eph 4:4.There is one body and one Spirit–-just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—

One Lord (Jesus). 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

One Father. 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

C). THEIR UNITY COMING FROM GOD’S COMMON GRACE. 4:7-10

i). Christ’s gift of grace to all. Eph 4:7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

ii). Christ’s gift of grace resulted from His death, resurrection and ascension.Eph 4:8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” 9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

(Compare Jesus’ gift of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing).

D). THEIR UNITY AND DIFFERENT GIFTINGS. 4:11-13

i). The people of the gifting. Eph 4:11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers

ii). The purpose of the gifting. Eph 4:12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry,

iii). The purpose of the ministry.for building up the body of Christ, Eph 4:13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

iv). The expected results of the ministry.

a). Spiritual maturity. Eph 4:14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

b). Growth in Christ-likeness. Eph 4:15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

c). Bodily growth. Eph 4:16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow

d). Growth in love. so that it builds itself up in love.

Blog No. 042 Jim Holbeck. Posted on Monday 31st October 2011

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About Jim Holbeck

Once an Industrial Chemist working for the Queensland Government but later an Anglican minister in Brisbane, Armidale and Sydney. Last position for eighteen years before retirement was as the Leader of the Healing Ministry at St Andrew's Cathedral Sydney.